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Stormy weather raises flood fears Stormy weather raises flood fears
(30 minutes later)
Families and householders hit by last summer's flooding are bracing themselves for more severe weather.Families and householders hit by last summer's flooding are bracing themselves for more severe weather.
Heavy rain began lashing western England overnight and a repeat of July 2007's devastation is feared.Heavy rain began lashing western England overnight and a repeat of July 2007's devastation is feared.
Defences are being built in many areas, and severe gales are forecast for much of west and south-east England. Defences have been built in many areas, and severe gales are forecast for much of west and south-east England.
Flash floods and travel chaos have been predicted across areas of England and Wales during rush hour, with up to 25mm (1in) of rain falling in some places. Flash floods have been predicted across areas of England and Wales, with up to 25mm (1in) of rain falling in some places.
'Troublesome''Troublesome'
BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the downpours would get heavier through the morning.BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the downpours would get heavier through the morning.
He also predicted gale-force winds of 60-65mph on the south-east coast of England and 50mph inland.He also predicted gale-force winds of 60-65mph on the south-east coast of England and 50mph inland.
"This weather is nothing exceptional, it's more troublesome, causing delays and disruptions to commuters," he said."This weather is nothing exceptional, it's more troublesome, causing delays and disruptions to commuters," he said.
"More severe problems could be localised.""More severe problems could be localised."
Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.
Gloucestershire County Council highway teams have been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways. A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said the overnight storms had not been as bad as feared.
She added: "There has been some rainfall in Gloucestershire overnight but, as yet, it has not been excessive."
The Environment Agency has 22 flood warnings and 118 flood watches in place.
'Ridiculous''Ridiculous'
Gloucestershire County Council highway teams have been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways.
In Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, which was badly affected during the summer floods, the river has risen above its usual levels, but defences have prevented it flooding the town.
The BBC's Jon Kay said "nervous" residents in Gloucester had moved all their possessions upstairs, and were using sandbags and rolled-up carpets to protect their homes.The BBC's Jon Kay said "nervous" residents in Gloucester had moved all their possessions upstairs, and were using sandbags and rolled-up carpets to protect their homes.
He added many families had only just returned home after last summer's floods.He added many families had only just returned home after last summer's floods.
We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions Kelly Bartlett, Gloucester residentWe can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions Kelly Bartlett, Gloucester resident
More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire were affected by last year's floods.More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire were affected by last year's floods.
Kelly Bartlett, of the Longlevens Flood Committee in Gloucester, one of the city's worst-affected wards, said the council had begun last-ditch efforts to widen and deepen the brook which runs through her area and residents were busy lining the streets with sandbags.Kelly Bartlett, of the Longlevens Flood Committee in Gloucester, one of the city's worst-affected wards, said the council had begun last-ditch efforts to widen and deepen the brook which runs through her area and residents were busy lining the streets with sandbags.
"We've only just moved back into our homes after the flooding last summer," she said."We've only just moved back into our homes after the flooding last summer," she said.
"It's ridiculous. We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions.""It's ridiculous. We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions."
'Evacuation procedures' Advice
Kathy Williams, a county councillor who lives in Gloucester, told the BBC local people were being advised to prepare. Many flood warnings have remained in place since Friday, when flash flooding brought roads and railways to a standstill.
"We've asked people to be resilient and look after their properties by sandbagging them, moving their property upstairs and getting ready for any evacuation procedures that we have to carry out," she said.
A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said the overnight storms had not been as bad as feared.
She added: "There has been some rainfall in Gloucestershire overnight but, as yet, it has not been excessive."
The Environment Agency has 20 flood warnings and 111 flood watches in place.
Flood warnings have remained in place since Friday, when flash flooding brought roads and railways to a standstill.
The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crossed Britain.The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crossed Britain.
A spokeswoman said people in areas where warnings are in place should take action against potential flooding of homes and businesses.A spokeswoman said people in areas where warnings are in place should take action against potential flooding of homes and businesses.
The agency advised people to continually check the flood information section of the Environment Agency website, which is updated every 15 minutes.The agency advised people to continually check the flood information section of the Environment Agency website, which is updated every 15 minutes.
Do you live in one of the areas where weather warnings are in place? How are you preparing to protect your home or business? Please use the form below to tell us about how you are being affected by the severe weather.Do you live in one of the areas where weather warnings are in place? How are you preparing to protect your home or business? Please use the form below to tell us about how you are being affected by the severe weather.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoYou can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
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